Light-emitting module including first hole portion

Abstract

A light-emitting module includes a two-dimensional array of a plurality of light-emitting units. Each of the light-emitting units includes a lightguide plate, a light source, and a light diffusing layer. The light guide plate has a first surface and a first hole portion. The first hole portion has at least one lateral surface and an opening at the first surface. The light source is provided at least partially inside the first hole portion. The light source includes a light-emitting element. The light diffusing layer covers part of the at least one lateral surface of the first hole portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A light-emitting module comprising a two-dimensional array of a plurality of light-emitting units, each of the light-emitting units comprising:
 a lightguide plate having a first surface, the lightguide plate having a first hole portion that defines at least one lateral surface and an opening at the first surface, 
 a light source provided at least partially inside the first hole portion, the light source comprising a light-emitting element, and 
 a light diffusing layer covering part of the at least one lateral surface of the first hole portion, 
 wherein the light-emitting units each have a rectangular external shape in a top view, and 
 wherein the light diffusing layer does not cover part of the at least one lateral surface of the first hole portion where a diagonal line of the rectangular shape of the light-emitting unit is present. 
 
     
     
       2. The light-emitting module of  claim 1 , wherein the light diffusing layer has a rotationally symmetrical shape in a top view. 
     
     
       3. The light-emitting module according to  claim 2 , wherein the first hole portion is a through hole penetrating through the lightguide plate. 
     
     
       4. The light-emitting module according to  claim 1  wherein
 the first hole portion is a recessed portion having the at least one lateral surface, and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a rectangular shape in the top view, 
 the at least one lateral surface of the first hole portion includes four slope surfaces each inclined with respect to the first surface of the lightguide plate, 
 each of the slope surfaces includes a first region, a second region and a third region that are arranged along a side of the rectangular shape of the bottom surface, 
 the second region is present between the first region and the third region, and 
 the light diffusing layer selectively covers the second region. 
 
     
     
       5. The light-emitting module according to  claim 4 , wherein the light diffusing layer covers all or part of the bottom surface of the first hole portion. 
     
     
       6. The light-emitting module according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first hole portion is a recessed portion having the at least one lateral surface and a bottom surface, and 
 the light diffusing layer covers all or part of the bottom surface of the first hole portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The light-emitting module according to  claim 5 , wherein the light diffusing layer has a plurality of openings each penetrating through the light diffusing layer from a surface which faces the bottom surface of the first hole portion to a surface located at a side at which the light source is located. 
     
     
       8. The light-emitting module according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the lightguide plate comprises, inside the first hole portion, a plurality of pillars projecting from the bottom surface of the first hole portion, and 
 the light diffusing layer covers the bottom surface of the first hole portion exclusive of regions of the plurality of pillars. 
 
     
     
       9. The light-emitting module according to  claim 4 , wherein the light source includes a wavelength conversion member interposed between the light-emitting element and the bottom surface of the first hole portion. 
     
     
       10. The light-emitting module according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the lightguide plate has a second surface located opposite to the first surface, and 
 the second surface of the lightguide plate has a second hole portion located opposite to the first hole portion. 
 
     
     
       11. The light-emitting module according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the light-emitting element comprises an electrode on a side opposite to the bottom surface of the first hole portion, and 
 each of the light-emitting units further comprises a light-reflective member located at a side closer to the first surface of the lightguide plate, the light-reflective member covering a region exclusive of the electrode. 
 
     
     
       12. The light-emitting module according to  claim 11 , wherein the light-reflective member has a wall portion projecting in a direction from the first surface side toward the second surface side, the wall portion having a slope surface that surrounds the first hole portion. 
     
     
       13. The light-emitting module according to  claim 11 , further comprising a wiring layer located on the light-reflective member, the wiring layer being electrically connected with the electrode. 
     
     
       14. The light-emitting module according to  claim 1 , wherein the first hole portion is a through hole penetrating through the lightguide plate. 
     
     
       15. A surface-emission light source comprising a two-dimensional array of a plurality of light-emitting modules, each of the light-emitting modules being the light-emitting module according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       16. The light-emitting module according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first hole portion is a recessed portion having the at least one lateral surface, and a bottom surface, the bottom surface having a rectangular shape in the top view, 
 the at least one lateral surface of the first hole portion includes four slope surfaces each inclined with respect to the first surface of the lightguide plate, 
 each of the slope surfaces includes a first region, a second region and a third region that are arranged along a side of the rectangular shape of the bottom surface, 
 the second region is present between the first region and the third region, and 
 the light diffusing layer selectively covers the second region. 
 
     
     
       17. The light-emitting module according to  claim 16 , wherein the light diffusing layer covers all or part of the bottom surface of the first hole portion.